Since May 2006

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If the Marine Corps Wanted You to Have a Wife, They Would Have Issued You One

Marine Corps Marriage? -or- If the Marine Corps Wanted You to Have a Wife, They Would Have Issued YouOne

Dear Family and Friends, we are gathered here today in the sight of God,and the Department of the United States Marine Corps, to witness this exchange of vows, and see the love that these two dedicated, loving peoplehave for one another.

"Wilt thou, *[man]*, take *[woman]* (who was once referred as the"dependent"), as your Family Member, to dwell together in so far as theMarine Corps will permit?" "Wilt thou love her, comfort her via the PostalService or over the phone, make sure she knows where the commissary, PX, and church are, and what time she is scheduled to use the laundry room theDAY she arrives, wherever you are stationed?" "Wilt thou attempt to tellher more than 24 hours in advance that you will be leaving for two weeks,beginning the next morning? This especially applies to the years you willlive in a foreign country!"

"Wilt thou, *[woman]*, take this soldier as thy wedded husband, knowingthat he is depending upon you to be the perfect (well, almost) Marine Wife,running the household as you see fit and being nice to the Commander'sWife? Further, you understand that your life with your husband (little thatyou may have together) will not be normal, that you may have to explain toyour children, not once, but twice, and more often in the same day, thatmothers do have husbands. This soldier is their daddy, who loves them very,very much."

"Wilt thou love, respect and wait for him, preparing his favorite mealswhen he does come home, freezing them when he doesn't, send him all his favorite cookies and pictures of yourself and the kids, so he can rememberwhat you look like? And last but not least, put on the outside of your doorhis "Welcome Home" sign when he's due to arrive?"

"I, *[man]*, take thee *[woman]*, as my independent wife from 1900 to 2200hours or as long as allowed by my Commanding Officer (subject to changewithout notice) For better or worse, earlier or later, near or far, and Ipromise to look at the pictures you send me, maybe not when they get to mein the field, but before I turn the lights out. I will also send a letter if time permits, and if not, to somehow, some way, make time."

"I, *[woman]*, take thee, *[man]*, as my live-in/live-out husband,realizing that your coming and going and 0330 staff meetings are a normal(although absurd to me) part of your life as a soldier. I promise not to beshocked or taken by surprise when you inform me that, although we've justarrived at our new duty station, we will be leaving within the month. Yes,I'll have you as my husband as long as, while you are away, my allotmentcomes through regularly, and that you leave me a current power of attorneyand the checkbook at all times. I am a Family Member and proud of it, dependent upon myself and my resources. Although I miss you when you areaway, I know I can handle whatever comes across my path."

"Now then, let no man or woman put asunder what God and the Department ofthe United States Marine Corps have brought together, only for them to soonsay 'Good-bye' to one another. *[Man] *leaves for his duty assignment inGermany tomorrow. *[Woman]* will be joining him whenever the approvalarrives. The Marine Corps hereby issues this lovely, dedicated, independent, woman, knowing that she'll be an asset not only to yourmarriage, but also to the Mission of the United States Marine Corps, whichis, as you all know, to remain in a state of 'Readiness'. By the authorityvested in the Bible, elaborated in the regulations and subject to currentdirectives concerning the aspects of marriage in the Marines, you are now aSoldier with Family Member. Best Wishes and Good Luck." -- Author unknown

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